Vivek Oberoi is celebrating his 49th birthday today. On his big day, he got talking about his career more than 20-year-old career and more in an interview with us.
Vivek Oberoi, who turns 49, opens up on his career and social work; says, The film industry has its skeletons too”
Vivek, you are an underrated actor and a highly successful entrepreneur known for your charitable causes
Subhash, I don’t like to talk about what I do with my money. But yes, I believe that if God has given you wealth, it means He wants you make good use of it. I am not doing anyone a favour with my work. Rather I feel honoured that I’ve the opportunity to give back to people some of what they’ve given me.
You mean the love you got as an actor?
And the love I get now in my real-life roles beyond an actor. I truly feel blessed, Subhash. I have a beautiful wife, lovely children and the power to help those who are in need.
You’ve been working relentlessly to make this a better world for children and women
Exploitation of any kind is a cancer to society. People with power should use it to empower rather than exploit. Artistic fraternities, just like any other institution, should have checks and balances. Personally, I have been dedicated to the cause of women and girl child empowerment for fifteen years. It takes a lot of courage for these victims to speak up and we need to be sensitive to that. The fear of social stigma and career sabotage has kept a lid on the dark underbelly of many professions and unfortunately the film industry has its skeletons too. It’s imperative that we purge this filth and make our working environment safe and comfortable for all women.
I remember when you made your debut in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. I’ve never encountered such confidence in a newcomer within the film industry before. Where did it come from?
It just happened to me. I really didn’t do anything to get all this attention. I don’t know… I guess the general opinion about me in the industry was positive. All I did was treat the opportunities that came to me with the respect and concentration that they deserved.
How did you bag Ram Gopal Varma’s Company?
It’s quite an amazing story, actually. I first met Ramuji (Varma) when he was casting for Jungle in November 1999. He offered me a supporting role in Jungle which I declined, saying I was looking for bigger challenges from a director like him. When he said there would be nothing more for the next year I decided to give him a call after a year.
Saying no to Ram Gopal Varma must have taken guts
The mutual friend who introduced Ramuji and I was aghast. How could I say no to Ram Gopal Verma when I had nothing else on my plate? My friend said Ramuji might be upset about my refusal. But I was sure that a man of his intelligence would see I had the right to reject a role just as he had the right to reject me for a role. I told this friend not to worry, that I’d work hard for one year and return to Ramuji. During that period, I didn’t meet any producer or director. I joined Kishore Namit Kapoor’s acting academy, then I went to New York for an acting course. Back home I trained myself in gymnastics, horse riding, etc. I was also a professional dubbing artiste for six years.
You’re kidding!
No seriously. I did radio plays and radio spots. I’ve dubbed English films in Hindi and Hindi films in English. I even dubbed for Chakravarthy in Satya in English. But dubbing wasn’t a career option. Acting was all I wanted to do. I put in so much into acting.
You had your goals set from the outset?
Oh yes. I was never insecure about my future, and I only have my parents to thank for that. I had the home, opportunities and the support system to spend time grooming and improving myself. Through my formative years, I worked towards my goal. I wanted to make myself into a complete product.
Then what happened?
A year after Jungle, dad (actor Suresh Oberoi) was shooting for Ramuji’s production Pyar Tune Kya Kiya. He took some casual photographs of mine to Ramuji for a role in Company. Just the naturalness of the pics clicked in Ramuji’s mind. He said he wanted to see me. Dad and he drove home immediately. Two minutes later, they were at my room which was messy as usual. I put on the audition tape for Ramuji. He rewound it, and I started to apologize for the quality of the tape. More than nervous, I was dazed by the sheer suddenness of the moment. Ramuji then asked my dad if he had any money on him. My dad took out a ten-rupee note. Ramuji put it in my hand and said, “I’ve signed you.” That was it.
The rest, as they say, was history?
If you want to put it like that. I had a charmed career as an actor. I have a terrific career as an entrepreneur. I couldn’t ask for more.
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